The thesis deals with changes in proportion of fatty acids in bovine milk. The aim of this study was to assess the profile of fatty acids in milk and subsequently in yoghurt produced from it. The thesis also evaluates the influence of breeding management, breed as well as region. The results of the thesis confirmed that processing of milk into yoghurt has little to no effect on fatty acids profile and proportion of fatty acids is stable. Processing milk into yoghurt alters nutritional value of the product only minimally and the changes in fatty acids profile are not statistically relevant. Profile of fatty acids in the end product was mostly influenced by breeding management, where nutritionally most valuable milk and therefore yoghurt comes from grazing dairy cows. Breed itself has influence more over content of main elements, such as fat or protein content, in milk rather than over fatty acids profile. Influence of region tightly relates to breeding management where in highlands pasturing is more common and in lowlands it is more common to have dairy cows in stables.

Submitted by MARCILENE MACHADO DOS SANTOS SARAH (marcilene.m.sarah@gmail.com) on 2018-07-20T14:51:05Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO - MARCILENE SARAH.pdf: 1469614 bytes, checksum: 7650422035f8634c8664c2ba24e1c108 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Karina Gimenes Fernandes null (karinagi@fcav.unesp.br) on 2018-07-20T17:27:53Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 sarah_mms_me_jabo.pdf: 1469614 bytes, checksum: 7650422035f8634c8664c2ba24e1c108 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-20T17:27:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 sarah_mms_me_jabo.pdf: 1469614 bytes, checksum: 7650422035f8634c8664c2ba24e1c108 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-06-08 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A deficiência oculta de potássio (K) é comum em feijoeiro, mas o silício (Si) quando fornecido via solução nutritiva (raiz) ou via foliar pode aliviar os estresses ocasionados pela deficiência deste nutriente, entretanto, isso ainda não é conhecido nesta espécie. A partir disso, objetivou-se verificar a melhor fonte e concentração de Si aplicado via foliar, e se essa fonte fornecida via solução nutritiva e foliar é eficiente em mitigar os estresses por deficiência de potássio em feijoeiro. Para isso, foram desenvolvidos dois experimentos em casa de vegetação com plantas de feijão cultivadas em sistema hidropônico. Um estudo preliminar visou definir a melhor fonte e concentração de Si aplicados via foliar. O segundo experimento foi em esquema fatorial 2x3, com solução nutritiva deficiente (0,2 mmol L-1 de K) e suficiente (6 mmol L-1 de K) em potássio, e o fornecimento de Si foi via solução nutritiva (2 mmol L-1 de Si), foliar (5,36 mmol L-1 de Si) e controle (0 mmol L-1 de Si), disposto em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em 4 repetições. Foram avaliados parâmetros fisiológicos, nutricionais e crescimento das plantas. E verificou-se que a pulverização foliar com Si foi viável agronomicamente para o feijoeiro, destacando-se o silicato de sódio e potássio estabilizado na concentração de 5,36 mmol L-1. A deficiência de K causou prejuízo no desenvolvimento das plantas de feijão que não receberam Si. O Si mitigou estresses por deficiência de K no feijoeiro devido a melhoria das variáveis nutricionais, fisiológicas e de crescimento, destacando-se o fornecimento de Si via solução nutritiva em relação a via foliar, embora essa última forma de aplicação do elemento benéfico também atenuou os efeitos da deficiência do macronutriente. / Undetected potassium (K) deficiency is common in bean plants. Although silicon (Si) supplied via nutrient solution (roots) or foliar application may alleviate the resulting stress, it remains unknown in this species. This pioneering study aimed to determine the best source and concentration of leaf-applied Si, and whether providing it via nutrient solution and foliar application is efficient in alleviating K deficiency stress in bean plants. To that end, two experiments were conducted in a greenhouse with bean plants grown in a hydroponic system. Due to the lack of reliable information for the bean plant, a preliminary study aimed at determining the best leaf-applied source and concentration of Si. The second experiment used a completely randomized 2x3 factorial design, with deficient (0.2 mmol L-1 of K) and sufficient potassium solution (6 mmol L-1 of K), Si supplied via nutrient solution (2 mmol L-1 of Si), foliar application (5.36 mmol L -1 of Si) and controls (0 mmol L-1 of Si), and 4 repetitions. Physiological, nutritional and plant growth parameters were measured. Foliar spraying with Si was agronomically feasible for the bean plant, with silicate of sodium and potassium stabilized at a concentration of 5.36 mmol L -1 . K deficiency without the addition of Si compromised plant growth. Si mitigated K deficiency stress in the bean plant due to enhanced nutritional, physiological and growth variables, underscoring Si supply via nutrient solution over foliar application, although the latter also attenuated K deficiency.

Submitted by (ana.araujo@ufrpe.br) on 2016-07-07T12:21:24Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Joseilme Fernando Gouveia.pdf: 4012962 bytes, checksum: 43c23a4011cc51d8a1e89ae1f1915c96 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-07T12:21:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Joseilme Fernando Gouveia.pdf: 4012962 bytes, checksum: 43c23a4011cc51d8a1e89ae1f1915c96 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-01-15 / We have investigated the rate of substitution of advantageous mutations in populations of haploid organisms where the rate of recombination can be controlled. We have verified that in all the situations recombination speeds up adaptation through recombination of beneficial mutations from distinct lineages in a single individual, and so reducing the intensity of clonal interference. The advantage of sex for adaptation is even stronger when deleterious mutations occur since now recombination can also restore genetic background free of deleterious mutations. However, our simulation results demonstrate that evidence of clonal interference, as increased mean selective effect of fixed mutations and reduced likelihood of fixation of small-effect mutations, are also present in sexual populations. What we see is that this evidence is delayed when compared to asexual populations. / Nós investigamos a taxa de substituição de mutações vantajosas em populações de organismos haplóides, assumindo que o mecanismo de recombinação está fixo, com a ocorrência de mutações benéficas e deletérias. Propomos um modelo de população finita de indivíduos em que permitiu a recombinação com taxa r e quantificamos o sexo no modelo. Verificamos que o sexo e a recombinação aumentam a taxa de adaptação por permitir a recombinação das mutações originalmente benéficas em linhagens distintas da população e, assim, reduz a intensidade da interferência clonal. A vantagem do sexo é maior até quando ocorrem mutações deletérias, pois a recombinação possui um papel importante, porque eliminam as mutações deletérias com maior eficiência. Porém, nossos resultados de simulação demonstram também a ocorrência de evidências da interferência clonal em populações sexuadas. Observamos que, comparando a população sexuada com a assexuada, a interferência clonal ocorre para taxas mais elevadas de mutação benéfica. Notamos claramente a redução no ritmo de crescimento da taxa de fixação das mutações benéficas juntamente com o aumento do efeito médio seletivo das mutações que se fixam. E determinamos as distribuições que melhor descrevem a distribuição do efeito seletivo das mutações benéficas que conseguem se fixar em uma população.

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-04-05T11:32:15Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Michel de Paula Andraus - 2017.pdf: 2279698 bytes, checksum: 5ada4f1b3089b56ada700853d1b92147 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-04-05T11:32:36Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Michel de Paula Andraus - 2017.pdf: 2279698 bytes, checksum: 5ada4f1b3089b56ada700853d1b92147 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-05T11:32:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Michel de Paula Andraus - 2017.pdf: 2279698 bytes, checksum: 5ada4f1b3089b56ada700853d1b92147 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-17 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Nowadays there is an increasing environmental pressure, which causes industries to develop new alternatives for the destination of residues generated by industrial processes. The costs of construction and maintenance of industrial landfills and the environmental risks that are involved in this process have aroused the interest of several industries in studying the feasibility of residues application in agriculture. One of the alternatives for agroindustrial residues is the substrate for seedlings. In view of the above, it is verified that the use of containers of agroindustrial residues pressed together with the inoculation of rhizobia and mycorrhizal fungi can bring numerous benefits to the production of forest seedlings and also to the environment. However, the association of these practices has not been sufficiently studied. The objective of this work was to evaluate the phytotechnical aspects of three forest species when cultivated in pressed blocks, composed of different proportions of agroindustrial residues and convenctional plastic tubes, and the effect of inoculation with rhizobia and mycorrhizal fungi on these seedlings. For that, an experiment was carried out in which four compounds with different ratios of sugarcane bagasse, filter cake, coconut fiber and aviary waste were made. In the pressed blocks of the selected composted substrate were planted seeds of Acacia manigium, Sesbania virgata and Eucalyptus grandis. The first two species were inoculated with rhizobia and mycorrhizal fungi specific for each species, and eucalyptus only with mycorrhizal fungi. At 70 days after sowing, mycorrhizal colonization, nodulation, phytotechnical and nutritional parameters were evaluated. And the data were submitted to analysis of variance and test of comparison of means. It was verified that the pressed blocks of agroindustrial residues do not provide better development of seedlings of Acacia mangium and Eucalyptus grandis in relation to the conventional tube. Inoculation with rhizobia, alone or associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the seedling production phase, provides better development of the Acacia mangium species. The seedlings of Sesbânia presented better development with the system of production of seedlings in pressed blocks, made with agroindustrial residues. It could be observed that the response to the use of the pressed blocks depends on the species that will be used. / Nos dias atuais existe uma pressão ambientalista cada vez maior, que faz com que as indústrias desenvolvam novas alternativas para o destino dos resíduos gerados pelos processos industriais. Os custos de construção e manutenção de aterros industriais e os riscos ambientais que estão envolvidos neste processo têm despertado o interesse de várias indústrias em estudar a viabilidade de aplicação de resíduos na agricultura. Uma das alternativas para os resíduos agroindustriais é o substrato para a produção de mudas. Diante do exposto, verifica-se que a utilização de recipientes de resíduos agroindustriais prensados, associado à inoculação de rizóbios e fungos micorrízicos, pode trazer inúmeros benefícios à produção de mudas florestais e também ao meio ambiente. Entretanto, a associação destas práticas ainda não foi suficientemente estudada. Com isso, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os aspectos fitotécnicos de mudas de três espécies florestais quando cultivadas em blocos prensados, compostos por diferentes proporções de resíduos agroindustriais, e tubetes plásticos convencionais, e o efeito da inoculação com rizóbios e fungos micorrízicos sobre estas mudas. Para tal foi realizado um experimento onde se fez quatro compostos com diferentes proporções de bagaço de cana de açúcar, torta de filtro, fibra de coco e cama de aviário. Nos blocos prensados do substrato compostado selecionado foram plantados sementes de Acacia manigium, Sesbania virgata e Eucalyptus grandis. As duas primeiras espécies foram inoculadas com rizóbios e fungos micorrízicos específicos para cada espécie, e o eucalipto somente com fungos micorrízicos. Aos 70 dias após a semeadura foram avaliados a colonização micorrízica, nodulação, parâmetros fitotécnicos e nutricionais das mudas. E os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e teste de comparação de médias. Verificou-se que os blocos prensados de resíduos agroindustriais não proporcionam melhor desenvolvimento de mudas de A. mangium e E. grandis em relação ao tubete convencional. A inoculação com rizóbio, isoladamente ou associada com fungos micorrízicos arbusculares na fase de produção de mudas, proporciona melhor desenvolvimento da espécie A. mangium. Já as mudas de Sesbânia apresentaram melhor desenvolvimento com o sistema de produção de mudas em blocos prensados, confeccionados com resíduos agroindustriais. Pôde-se observar que a resposta ao uso dos blocos prensados depende da espécie que irá ser utilizada.

O conceito de beneficiário efetivo nos acordos internacionais contra a bitributação, apesar de não expressamente definido, é um requisito específico para que pessoas possam usufruir das disposições relativas aos dividendos, juros e royalties do mesmo. O presente trabalho tem o objetivo de analisar os critérios para a determinação do significado desse termo nos acordos celebrados com base na Convenção Modelo da OCDE, examinando também os limites e implicações de sua definição para os Estados Contratantes. A Introdução tem o objetivo de delimitar o escopo do objeto de estudo, bem como apresentar algumas prévias considerações didáticas sobre o direito tributário internacional, ramo no qual este estudo se insere. No Capítulo I, analisaremos a origem do termo beneficiário efetivo. O elemento central é a sua relação com os atributos do direito de propriedade no direito interno dos países de common law, onde este foi criado. Adicionalmente, realizaremos a comparação com o tratamento legal dessa expressão no direito interno dos países de civil law e, especificamente, no direito interno brasileiro. O Capítulo II compreende o exame das regras de interpretação dos acordos internacionais contra a bitributação e de que maneira a construção de sentido de termos não definidos em seu texto é realizada. Para este fim, serão analisados os diversos instrumentos que compõe o contexto desses acordos, assim como a relação entre os demais instrumentos que podem auxiliar neste processo de exegese, demonstrando também as condições para o reenvio interpretativo do termo por meio de lei interna dos Estados Contratantes. No Capítulo III, as diferentes formas e critérios para a interpretação do termo serão estudados. Será analisada a disciplina do tema na CM OCDE e Comentários, a sua relevância e alcance no combate ao treaty shopping e a jurisprudência internacional atual. Ao final, apresentaremos uma síntese conclusiva do nosso estudo. / The concept of beneficial owner in the double tax treaties, although not expressly defined, is a requirement for the treaty entitlement of persons receiving income from dividends, interest and royalties. This study aims at analyzing the criteria for the definition of its meaning within the double tax treaties that adopt the OECD Model Convention, also examining the limits and implications of this concept to Contracting States. The purpose of the Introduction is to define the scope of the object of study and, also, to present certain didactic considerations about international tax law, the area to which this work is related. In Chapter I, the origin of the term beneficial owner is analyzed. The main element therein is its relationship with the attributes of property law under the domestic laws of the common law countries, where it was created. Additionally, we will proceed the comparison with the legal treatment of this expression in the internal law of the civil law countries and, specifically, in the Brazilian law. Chapter II deals with the analysis of the interpretation rules of the double tax treaties and on which way they act on the construction of the meaning of terms not defined on its text. For this purpose, the several instruments that constitute the context of the tax treaties will be analyzed, as well as the relation of the other instruments that may help in the interpretation process, demonstrating the requirements for the interpretative remittance of the term through domestic law of the Contracting States. On Chapter III, the different forms and criteria for the interpretation of the term will be examined. Also, we will analyze the treatment of the subject on OECD MC and Commentaries, its relevance and scope in the fight against treaty shopping and the current international jurisprudence. At the end, we will present a conclusive synthesis of our study.

O milho geneticamente modificado MON810, que expressa a proteína Cry1Ab de Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, está em fase de avaliação e aprovação para liberação comercial no Brasil. Sendo assim, o objetivo da presente pesquisa foi o de estudar os efeitos de MON810 sobre a entomofauna em Barretos/SP e Ponta Grossa/PR no período de 1999 a 2001. O levantamento de insetos foi realizado por meio de diferentes armadilhas (alçapão, bandeja d'água, cartão adesivo e rede de varredura) e contagem de insetos nas plantas de milho, visando avaliar o efeito do milho MON810 sobre a comunidade de insetos, guildas tróficas e dinâmica populacional das espécies predominantes, incluindo organismos benéficos e pragas não-alvo. A interação tritrófica envolvendo milho MON810, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) e Doru luteipes (Scudder) também foi avaliada no presente trabalho. Adicionalmente, um estudo comparativo da comunidade geral de insetos nas diferentes safras de milho foi realizado com o uso de armadilha luminosa. Os tratamentos avaliados foram o milho geneticamente modificado MON810 (MON), milho convencional com aplicação de inseticidas (CCI) e milho convencional sem aplicação de inseticida (CSI). Foi coletado um total de 957.081 espécimes e 409 diferentes espécies. Baseado na análise faunística e índices de riqueza, diversidade, eqüitabilidade e similaridade, não foram observadas diferenças entre os tratamentos na comunidade de insetos. Estes resultados foram também confirmados com as análises de componentes principais e de Kruskal-Wallis. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos quanto à proporção relativa de diferentes guildas tróficas analisadas (predadores, parasitóides, polinizadores, decompositores, sugadores e mastigadores). Também não foi observado efeito do milho MON810 na dinâmica populacional das espécies predominantes de aranhas e insetos de diferentes guildas tróficas, incluindo pragas não-alvo e insetos benéficos (Carabidae, Coccinellidae, Chrysopidae, Hemerobiidae, Syrphidae, Tachinidae e Apidae). Avaliações de S. frugiperda e D. luteipes nas plantas de milho confirmaram a eficiência de MON810 no controle desta praga e a sua não interferência na dinâmica populacional do predador. E finalmente, diferenças significativas foram observadas na comunidade geral de insetos nas diferentes safras avaliadas. Portanto, nenhum efeito do milho MON810 foi detectado no presente estudo sobre a comunidade de insetos. / The genetically modified corn MON810, which expresses the Cry1Ab protein from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, is under evaluation and approval for commercial release in Brazil. Therefore, the objective of this research was to study the effect of MON810 on insect community in Barretos/SP and Ponta Grossa/PR from 1999 to 2001. The evaluations were based on insect sampling with the use of different traps (pitfall, color tray, sticky trap and sweep net) and insect counts on corn plants to evaluate the effect of MON810 on insect community, throphic guilds and population dynamics of predominant species, including beneficial organisms and non-target pests. Tritrophic interaction involving the corn MON810, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) and Doru luteipes (Scudder) was also evaluated in this study. Additionally, a comparative study of general insect community in different corn growing seasons was conducted with the use of a light trap. The following treatments were evaluated: genetically modified corn MON810 (MON), conventional corn with insecticide application (CWI) and conventional corn without insecticide application (CWI). A total of 957,081 specimens were collected, distributed among 409 different species. Based on faunistic analysis and indexes of richness, diversity, evenness and similarity, there were no differences in the insect community among treatments. These results were also confirmed by principal component and Kruskal-Wallis analysis. No statistical differences were found among treatments in the relative proportion of different trophic guilds evaluated (predators, parasitoids, pollinators, decomposers, suckers and chewers). There was also no effect of MON810 on population dynamics of predominant species of spiders and insects of different trophic guilds, including non-target pests and beneficial insects (Carabidae, Coccinellidae, Chrysopidae, Hemerobiidae, Syrphidae, Tachinidae and Apidae). Evaluations of S. frugiperda and D. luteipes on corn plants confirmed the efficacy of MON810 in the control of this pest and its no effect on the population dynamics of D. luteipes. And finally, significant differences were found in the general insect community in different corn growing seasons. Therefore, no effect of the corn MON810 was detected in this study on insect community.

Background: Playing is a natural part of the child's nature. Through play, the child can relate to his or her surroundings. Play therapy is used in healthcare, a tool to help children and adolescents through difficult circumstances. Aim: The aim was to explore children and adolescents experience of and attitude towards play therapy and the impact on perceived health in connection with inpatient care. The aim was also to investigate the significance of play for children and adolescents during hospital stays. Method: Data was collected through a survey with quantitative and qualitative elements. In addition, a supplemental literature study was conducted. Results: A total of 12 children and adolescents completed the survey, and 5 articles were reviewed in the literature study. The majority (n=10) had a positive attitude towards play therapy. Correlation analysis showed that the younger the children were, the higher they scored on “if it was easier to stay at the hospital after they had been in contact with play therapy” (r = -0.738, p = 0.006). In the qualitative survey it emerged that children and adolescents experienced that the best thing about play therapy was the staff. It emerged in the literature study that through play, the children experienced an increased sense of security, happiness and wellbeing. Play reduced their anxiety, fear and stress. Conclusions: Most participants in the survey had positive experiences and attitudes towards play therapy. Play therapy was perceived as health beneficial and was considered positive in the reviewed studies. Play helped children and adolescents with coping of anxiety, fear and stress. / Bakgrund: Att leka är en naturlig del av barnets natur. Leken bidrar till att förhindra samt minska oro hos barnet. Lekterapin används inom sjukvården och är ett verktyg för att underlätta barn och ungdomars svåra omständigheter. Lekterapin ska vara en plats där barn och ungdomar får komma bort från sjukhusmiljön. En plats där de bara får vara barn. Syfte: Studiens syfte var att undersöka barn och ungdomars erfarenhet av och inställning till lekterapin samt påverkan på upplevd hälsa i samband med inneliggande vård. Syftet var dessutom att undersöka lekens betydelse för barn och ungdomar under sjukhusvistelser. Metod: Studien består av en enkätundersökning med kvantitativa och kvalitativa inslag samt en litteraturstudie för att komplettera resultatet. Resultat: Totalt deltog 12 barn och ungdomar i enkätundersökningen och fem artiklar granskades i litteraturstudien. Majoriteten av barnen och ungdomarna (n=10) var positivt inställda till lekterapin. Korrelationsanalys visade att ju yngre barnen var, desto högre skattade de att det var lättare att vara på sjukhuset efter kontakt med lekterapin (r= -0,738, p=0,006). Enligt de kvalitativa enkätfrågorna upplevde barnen och ungdomarna att personalen var det bästa med lekterapin. I litteraturstudien framkom det att genom leken upplevde barnen en ökad trygghet, glädje samt välbefinnande. Leken minskade deras oro, ångest, rädsla och stress. Slutsats: Majoriteten av deltagarna i enkätundersökningen hade positiva erfarenheter av samt inställning till lekterapin. Lekterapin uppfattades även som hälsofrämjande. Lek ansågs i de granskade studierna som positivt och förbättrade hanteringen av till exempel oro, ångest, rädsla och stress hos barnen och ungdomarna.

Arid and semi-arid regions, mostly found in developing countries with exponentially increasing populations, are in chronic lack of water thereby severely limiting agricultural production. Irrigation with saline water, which is available in large quantities, could be an obvious solution, but current crops are all salt sensitive. Although major efforts are underway to breed salt tolerant crops, no breakthrough results have yet been obtained. One alternative could rely on plant-interacting microbiota communities. Indeed, rhizophere and endosphere microbial communities are distinct from those of the surrounding soils, and these specific communities contribute to plant growth and health by increasing nutrient availability or plant resistance towards abiotic and biotic stresses. Here we show that plant microbe interactions induce plant tolerance to multiple stresses. From a collection of strains isolated from the desert plant Indigofera argentea, we could identify at least four different strategies to induce salt stress tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. A deep analysis of Enterobacter sp. SA187 showed that it induces Arabidopsis tolerance to salinity through activation of the ethylene signaling pathway. Interestingly, although SA187 does not produce ethylene as such, the association of SA187 with plants induces the expression of the methionine salvage pathway in SA187 resulting in the conversion of bacterially produced 2-keto-4-methylthiobutyric acid (KMBA) to ethylene. In addition, a metabolic network characterization of both SA187 and Arabidopsis in their free-living and endophytic state revealed that the sulfur metabolic pathways are strongly upregulated in both organisms. Furthermore, plant genetic experiments verified the essential role of the sulfur metabolism and ethylene signaling in plant salt stress tolerance. Our findings demonstrate how successful plant microbes of a given community can help other plants to enhance tolerance to abiotic stress, and reveal a part of the complex molecular communication process during beneficial plant-microbe interaction.

Microorganisms will play a significant role in the agricultural revolution in the coming decades and help meet the growing population's needs. Hence, understanding the impact of beneficial bacteria on crop development is key to the future of developing microbial products. The ability of PGPB to increase crop yields has been recently investigated in agriculture, as PGPB can support and protect plants under different stresses. Since PGPB interactions occur naturally, finding a method to apply beneficial bacteria while maintaining their efficiency and quality is a topic of interest. PGPB have been used as microbial inoculants, biofertilizers, and also as seed coatings. Preservation of microorganisms through desiccation has been used as the preferred method for long-term storage of microbial culture. The use of dry powders is favored over liquid cultures due to their ease of transportation and better quality control. For microbial preservation, freeze-drying has been defined as the most convenient and satisfactory preservation method for long-term storage. Freeze-drying is generally preferred over other drying techniques as it gives a high-quality dehydrated product. However, to reach a high-quality product, many parameters need to be monitored, such as bacterial cell concentration, growth medium, lyophilization buffer, rehydration, and duration of freeze-drying. In this research, SA190 was freeze-dried with 10% sucrose mixed with 5% trehalose as lyophilization buffer. Pseudomonas argentinensis SA190 was isolated from the root nodules of the desert plant Indigofera argentae in Saudi Arabia, specifically Jizan. The SA190 freeze-dried product was examined by several tests to assess the product viability and quality, such as accelerated test and water stability test. For future work, the effect of freeze-dried SA190 on plant growth and crop yield will be investigated. Moreover, optimization of the freeze-drying process, formulation, and packaging for commercial will be considered. In addition, bacterial strains isolated in DARWIN21 project with promising effects on plant growth, will be subjected to freeze-drying process.

Disposal and beneficial-use options for street sweeping residuals collected as part of routine roadway maintenance activities in Florida, USA, were assessed by characterizing approximately 200 samples collected from 20 municipalities. Total concentrations (mg/kg or μg/kg) and leachable concentrations (mg/L or μg/L) of 11 metals and a number of organic pollutant groups (volatile organics, semi-volatile organics, pesticides, herbicides, carbamates) in the samples were measured. The synthetic precipitation leaching procedure (SPLP) was performed to evaluate the leachability of the pollutants. From the total metal analysis, several metals (e.g., arsenic, barium, chromium, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc) were commonly found above their detection limits. Zinc was found to have the highest mean concentration of all metals measured (46.7 mg/kg), followed by copper (10.7 mg/kg) and barium (10.5 mg/kg). The metal with the smallest mean concentration was arsenic (0.48 mg/kg). A small fraction of the total arsenic, barium, lead, and zinc leached in some samples using the SPLP; leached concentrations were relatively low. A few organic compounds (e.g., 4,4′-DDT, endrin, and endosulfan II) were detected in a limited number of samples. When the total and leaching results were compared to risk-based Florida soil cleanup target levels and groundwater cleanup target levels, the street sweepings were not found to pose a significant human-health risk via direct exposure or groundwater contamination.